7 Patio Contractor FAQs That Come Up Constantly
Being a patio contractor isn’t necessarily a high-profile job. But when you meet someone who is thinking about renovating their outdoor space – or installing something like a pool or an outdoor kitchen – you suddenly discover they will have a lot of questions.
I know this because I’ve been approached by friends, relatives, and even new acquaintances dozens of times over the years. Whether they’ve known me for 20 minutes or 20 years, they all want to know the same few things.
Since some of you might not ever run into me at a barbecue or another social event, I decided to put those frequently asked questions together in today’s post. I hope you’ll find them helpful as you consider hiring a patio contractor to transform your yard into something special.
FAQ #1 What Is the Best Way to Find a Patio Contractor?
No matter where you live, there are bound to be lots of good patio contractors around. Unfortunately, there will also be lots of people calling themselves great patio contractors.
To spot the difference, you can do what you would in other areas of life. That means asking lots of questions, looking at their completed work, and speaking with others who have hired them. Don’t simply go by prices or websites. Do your homework to ensure you’re hiring a team you can trust.
FAQ #2 What Is the Process of Hiring a Patio Contractor Like?
Whether you’ve chosen a patio contractor or are evaluating different choices, you should follow a pretty simple process:
- Meet with a designer and/or salesperson who can tour your property and hear about your plans.
- Get a quote from the contractor and ask any questions you might have.
- Be available to provide direction or feedback as needed throughout the construction of your patio and installation of any appliances or features.
A reputable and experienced team will make all of this as smooth and painless as they can, so don’t stress out about the details. Just hire the best and let them bring your vision to life.
FAQ #3 When Is the Best Time of Year to Hire a Patio Contractor?
Believe it or not, there isn’t really a best time of year to hire a patio contractor. Companies like ours work throughout the year, and every season has its own challenges and advantages.
What’s much more important is to simply get the process started once you decide you want to renovate your outdoor space. Reliable contractors usually work on lead times and may have a waiting list in place. Also, you could need permits or approvals that will have to be filed before work can begin.
FAQ #4 Are Some Properties More Difficult Than Others?
It’s true that some features are more difficult to install in some properties. For instance, if you have existing structures on your land, they may have to be removed. Alternatively, you could have a heavy slope to deal with, or lots of drainage issues. Perhaps your property is hard to reach or isn’t set up for utilities to be installed.
None of these issues is impossible to overcome. They simply mean that you’ll want to hire an experienced team who can help you plan ahead and deal with them.
FAQ #5 What Kinds of Features or Improvements Can I Ask My Patio Contractor For?
The list of features you can get from a good patio contractor is virtually endless. You are bound more by your budget and imagination than anything else. In the past 20+ years my team and I have worked with requests for:
- Swimming pools
- Tennis and basketball courts
- Fire pits and BBQs
- Outdoor kitchens
- Sheds and storage structures
- Backyard lighting
…and a lot more. Rather than thinking about what a patio contractor can do (which is probably just about anything you could dream of), it’s much more useful to imagine how you might use the outdoor space on your property.
FAQ #6 How Do I Know if My Patio Contractor Is Giving Me a Good Price?
The best way to check up on patio contracting rates is to simply shop around. If a price seems too high, then see what other respectable and experienced teams in the area are charging. And if a rate seems too low, ask a lot more questions than you think you need to.
Most of the time, your risk is going to come from lower bids rather than higher ones. That’s because those of us at the top have completed hundreds of projects and know more or less what we should charge. That’s why you’ll find that the best companies will all quote rates that are competitive with one another. Newer businesses, on the other hand, tend to overpromise and underdeliver. That means your great deal could turn into a half-finished patio pretty quickly.
FAQ #7 What Should I Do if My Dream Patio Costs Too Much?
Although a good patio enhances the value of your home and the enjoyment you get from it, it’s still the case that you may find you can’t afford every upgrade or feature you would hope for. When that happens, my advice is usually to simply break the project in stages.
You don’t have to install every feature at once. You can hire a great team to give you the most important features first and then improve your property in the seasons or years to come. In fact, that can be a great way to get to know your contractor and refine your plans along the way.
Looking for the Best Patio Contractor Near You?
In this post I’ve tried to cover the seven questions and issues I hear about most frequently. But if you’re looking for someone who can give you more specific answers – and the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming of – I encourage you to reach out to our sales and design team.
At Stefano’s we have been transforming properties around the Saugus, Massachusetts, area for 20+ years. We have the experience to design and build the backyard you’ve been dreaming of, and the kind of portfolio and reviews you can trust.
Contact us today to see how we can help!